HUMPHRIES v. BLIGHT'S ASSIGNEES, 4 U.S. 370 (1803)

U.S. Supreme Court

HUMPHRIES v. BLIGHT'SASSIGNEES, 4 U.S. 370 (1803)

4 U.S. 370 (Dall.)

Humphries v. Blight's Assignees.

Circuit Court, Pennsylvania District.

April Term, 1803

THIS was an amicable action, to obtain a decision upon these general facts: Murgatroyd, being possessed of two notes, drawn by Peter Blight, payable without defalcation, and being indebted to Humphries, offered to give the notes in part payment, and cash for the rest, of the debt. The notes had been due for some time; and a commission of bankruptcy had previously issued against Blight; but Blight, upon an application from Humphries, advised him to accept the proposition, without any intimation of a defence, or set-off. The notes were, accordingly, indorsed by Murgatroyd to Humphries; but when presented by the indorsee to be proved, under the commission, the assignees of Blight claimed a right to set-off a debt, due from Murgatroyd to Blight; and for the trial of this claim, the present action was instituted. Two questions, however, were discussed on the trial: 1st. Whether the holder of a promissory note, purchased after a commission of bankruptcy had issued against the drawer, could prove the debt, under the commission? 2d. Whether the note, being purchased after it was due, had not lost its general negotiable character; and, consequently, remained subject to any set-off, that would apply between the drawer and payee?

1st. We have no doubt upon the right of the assignee of the note in this case, to prove the debt under the commission, and to receive a dividend. The certificate of the bankrupt, would be a bar to a recovery, in an action by the present holder of the note against him; and wherever a certificate will be a bar, the right to prove the debt, under the commission, must be unquestionable.

2d. In the case of negotiable paper, or in the case of an assignable bond, we have always thought, that the assignee takes it discharged of all the equity (as between the original parties) of which he had no notice. But whenever the assignee has notice of such equity, either positively, or constructively, he takes the assignment at his peril. The assignment, in this case, was taken after the commission of bankruptcy had issued; and the commission was legal notice, that wherever mutual debts subsisted, between the bankrupt and his creditors, the right of set-off attached. The set-off claimed by the assignees must, therefore, be allowed: and this opinion is given, without admitting any distinction, whether the notes were due, or not, before the assignment; but merely upon the ground, that the assignment was subsequent to the commission.

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